Conservation Collective

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £3.42 million (2023)
• Total Income: £3.95 million (2023)
• Geographic Focus: International (20+ regions across Mediterranean, Caribbean, East Africa, UK, Sri Lanka)
• Grant Range: Variable - depends on member foundation
• Network Size: 20+ place-based foundations
• Staff: 12 employees

Contact Details

Website: https://conservation-collective.org

Registered Charity Number: 1185925

Legal Form: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) - Foundation

Registered: October 22, 2019

For grant applications, organizations must contact the relevant regional foundation rather than Conservation Collective directly. See member foundation list on their website.

Overview

Conservation Collective was established as a UK charity in 2020 to serve as the central hub for a global conservation movement that began in 2008 with IbizaPreservation. Founded by environmentalist and financier Ben Goldsmith and colleagues, the organization operates as an umbrella charity supporting a network of 20+ place-based environmental foundations around the world. With annual expenditure of £3.42 million (2023) and total income of £3.95 million, Conservation Collective provides funding, operational support, and strategic guidance to member foundations, which in turn make grants to grassroots environmental projects in their regions. The network has collectively raised over £6.5 million since inception, with member foundations having dispersed millions to local conservation initiatives. The organization focuses on protecting, preserving, and restoring natural environments through a nimble, non-bureaucratic approach that channels support to “people closest to environmental problems.” Conservation Collective has received significant backing from major funders including the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and MAVA Foundation.

Funding Priorities

Network Operating Model

Conservation Collective operates through a two-tier grant-making structure:

1. Funding to Member Foundations: Conservation Collective provides core grants and operational support to its network of 20+ regional foundations
2. Member Foundations to Projects: The regional foundations then make grants to grassroots environmental organizations and projects in their specific geographic areas

Geographic Coverage Through Member Foundations

The network includes foundations in:

• UK: Devon Environment Foundation, Highlands and Islands Environment Foundation (Scotland)
• Spain: IbizaPreservation, Mallorca Preservation Fund, Menorca Preservation, Malaga Province Environment Foundation
• Greece: Argosaronic Environment Foundation, Cyclades Preservation Fund, Ionian Environment Foundation
• Other Mediterranean: Cyprus Environment Foundation, Malta Environment Foundation, Sicily Environment Fund, Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation (Croatia)
• Caribbean: Antigua & Barbuda Environment Foundation, St. Vincent & Grenadines Environment Foundation
• Africa: Lamu Environment Foundation (Kenya)
• Asia: Lanka Environment Fund (Sri Lanka), Leuser Ecosystem Action Fund

Priority Areas

Conservation Collective and its member foundations focus on:

• Marine and coastal conservation
• Biodiversity protection and species recovery
• Habitat restoration (terrestrial and marine)
• Sustainable fisheries and ocean health
• Climate change mitigation through nature-based solutions
• Community-led conservation initiatives
• Policy and advocacy for environmental protection
• Scientific research supporting conservation decisions
• Reducing plastic pollution and other environmental threats

Example Funded Projects

Through the network, Conservation Collective has supported projects including:

• Caribbean biodiversity studies: Research on Union Island gecko and pink rhino iguana populations
• Seabird conservation: Working group coordination and research (£11,828 grant to EPIC)
• Sustainable fisheries: Digifish project equipping 83 fishing vessels with tracking devices in Barbados
• Wetland restoration: Rehabilitation action plan for Long Pond coastal wetland in Barbados
• Marine species protection: Nursehound catshark conservation in the Balearic Islands
• Plastic reduction: 0 Plastic Menorca business certification program
• Land-use planning: Sustainability Observatory study in Ibiza for evidence-based policymaking

What Conservation Collective Funds (Central Operations)

• Core operational grants to member foundations
• Start-up funding for new foundations in the network
• Knowledge sharing and capacity building across the network
• Impact measurement and evaluation systems
• Strategic and financial management support

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Ben Goldsmith (Chairman and Founder) - British financier, philanthropist, and environmentalist who also chairs the UK Conservative Environment Network and serves as a trustee of the Children's Investment Fund Foundation
• George Duffield - Co-founder of Blue Marine Foundation
• Brendon Moorhouse - Environmental law barrister
• Andy Brainin - Accountant with ESG investing background
• Emma Askew - Youth activist and environmental researcher
• Mike Maunder - Conservationist with expertise in species recovery

All trustees serve without remuneration and give their time voluntarily.

Executive Team

• Jade Brudenell (Executive Director) - Oversees fundraising, team growth, and creation of new foundations
• Kendra Walsh (Network Director) - Supports local foundations and impact measurement (joined March 2023)
• Paulina King Bravo (Finance Director) - Manages financial operations
• Chloë Strevens (Head of Impact) - Evaluates and communicates organizational impact
• Berta Manzano (Programme Manager) - Oversees global network projects
• Lauren Park Ramsay (Head of Communications)
• Francesca Hicks (Communications Manager)

The organization also maintains a Global Advisory Panel with experts in various environmental fields.

Leadership Quote

Ben Goldsmith on the model: “The new model was replicated in a host of other locations around the world, providing world-class oversight, management, and support to new local foundations so that they could fund grassroots projects and deliver real impact.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Conservation Collective charity 1185925 does not accept direct grant applications from grassroots environmental organizations. Instead, the organization:

1. Provides funding TO member foundations: Conservation Collective distributes grants to its network of regional foundations
2. Member foundations make grants to projects: Organizations seeking grants must apply to the relevant geographic member foundation in their region

For Grant Seekers: Visit https://conservation-collective.org/the-collective/ to identify which member foundation covers your geographic area, then visit that foundation's website for their specific application process and funding priorities.

Example:

• Projects in Devon, UK → Apply to Devon Environment Foundation
• Projects in Ibiza, Spain → Apply to IbizaPreservation
• Projects in Kenya → Apply to Lamu Environment Foundation

Each member foundation has its own grant-making criteria, application processes, and funding rounds.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable for direct applications to Conservation Collective charity 1185925. Timeline depends on the member foundation to which organizations apply.

Strategic Expansion

Conservation Collective is actively growing its network and launched 5 new foundations by 2025. The organization identifies new foundation locations by “joining forces with groups of people who have strong connections to a particular area.”

Application Success Factors

Since Conservation Collective does not accept direct applications, these factors relate to understanding the organization's model and philosophy, which informs all member foundations:

Understanding the Model

Conservation Collective operates on the principle of place-based philanthropy - the belief that people with deep connections to a place are best positioned to protect it. Organizations applying to member foundations should emphasize their local knowledge, community relationships, and on-the-ground presence.

Network Philosophy

The organization describes its approach as “nimble and non-bureaucratic; focussed on getting stuff done.” Member foundations tend to favor:

• Practical, action-oriented projects with clear deliverables
• Projects addressing immediate conservation threats
• Community-led initiatives with local support
• Organizations that can demonstrate impact and outcomes
• Collaborative approaches involving multiple stakeholders

Evidence of Impact

Conservation Collective emphasizes “world-class oversight” and impact measurement. Applications to member foundations should include:

• Clear metrics for measuring conservation outcomes
• Realistic timelines and project plans
• Evidence-based approaches supported by science
• Plans for monitoring and reporting results

Strategic Alignment

Review the specific priorities of the member foundation in your region, as each foundation "defines their approach to address their region's unique environmental needs and challenges."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Do not apply directly to Conservation Collective charity 1185925 - Identify and apply to the relevant geographic member foundation in your region instead

1. Understand the two-tier structure - Conservation Collective funds foundations, which fund projects. Your organization must work with a member foundation, not the central charity

1. Location is critical - Each member foundation operates in a specific geographic area. Projects must be within that area to be eligible

1. Place-based approach matters - Emphasize local knowledge, community relationships, and on-the-ground presence in your region when applying to member foundations

1. Member foundations vary - Each foundation has its own priorities, processes, and grant sizes. Research the specific foundation covering your area (e.g., Devon Environment Foundation has awarded over £1.2 million to 87 projects across 43 partners since 2020)

1. Network is expanding - If there isn't currently a foundation in your region, Conservation Collective may be open to establishing one, particularly if you represent “groups of people who have strong connections to a particular area”

1. Focus on grassroots, practical action - The network philosophy emphasizes non-bureaucratic, action-oriented conservation that delivers measurable impact

References

• Conservation Collective official website: https://conservation-collective.org/
• UK Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1185925
• Conservation Collective “About Us” page: https://conservation-collective.org/our-people/
• Conservation Collective “The Collective” member foundations: https://conservation-collective.org/the-collective/
• Conservation Collective “Set for Growth” announcement: https://conservation-collective.org/conservation-collective-set-for-growth/
• Conservation Collective “Who We Are” page: https://conservation-collective.org/conservation-collective-who-we-are/
• Devon Environment Foundation website: https://devonenvironment.org/
• Financial information from UK Charity Commission showing £3.95m income and £3.42m charitable expenditure (2023)
• Network updates and project examples from Conservation Collective website news archives